Alexander Gustafsson Says He Won’t Succumb To Pressure & Fight Anthony Johnson

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Gustafsson won’t buckle.

After recently telling Swedish outlet Expressen he’s willing to wait years for a guaranteed title shot with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in Sweden, Alexander Gustafsson was asked about he thinks he will face next. Gustafsson has already dismissed the idea of accepting Dana White’s challenge to take on Anthony “Rumble” Johnson in the interim.

“I have fought both worse and better opponents,” said Gustafsson. “Had that fight taken me somewhere I had been the first to accept.”

Johnson again challenged Gustafsson to a fight last week, saying it is a match that fans are ‘begging for.’

“Since his return to the UFC after being kicked, he has beaten Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, who passed its [expiration] date a long time ago, and Phil Davis,” said Gustafsson. “He needs at least a couple wins more.

“We are not in the playground anymore, it’s not about who is the toughest, it’s about my career, I want to have a long and successful career. You have to think tactically and you can’t just go in and swing against the first best opponent.”